The Claims and Inquest Team have implemented a process for trust personnel to obtain legal advice in the areas detailed below.
The team will advise on and manage claims against the trust and will manage and support staff through the coronial process.
Obtaining legal advice
Process for obtaining legal advice
Trust staff can access advice on the legal areas below by, in the first instance, contacting the identified trust leads.
The leads for these areas will receive and manage the request for advice and if necessary, seek support from either Hill Dickinson or Hempsons solicitors. Should you need to contact any of them please use the telephone number below or first name
Claims and Judicial Reviews Commercial/contracts Estates and facilities
Janine Betley 07827 252529 Tim Mansfield 07453 294549 Michele McGee 07970 986697
Barry Judge 07855 433102 Tracey Battison 07767 004223
Michelle Elliot McEvoy 07788 300895
Finance and Procurement Information governance Intellectual property
Mike Jones 07939 304068 Geoff Springer 07776 587600
Sally Proffitt 07876 643730 Jeanie Hedley 07876 818930
Paul Harrison 07876 503019
Inquests Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and DoLs
Barry Judge 07555 433102 Nicola Peet 07768 325783
Janine Betley 07827 252529 Chris Stanton 07881 002618
Ian Woods 07305 369024 Ann Cunliffe 07791 739754
Stephen McGrath 07385 951121
Divisional MHL Administrators
Patient safety Safety and security
Nicky Ore 07766 422162 Joanne Fowlis 07443 265467
Claire Davies 07435 412560
Sharon Mageean 07917 594702
In addition a 24 hour, 365 day a year, on-call service is available from Hill Dickinson on 07715 376624. The on-call service should only be accessed either directly by or with the permission of silver on-call.
The chosen legal firms will only provide advice to authorised individuals (including the leads above) as this is an important feature to maintain control of this area of expenditure. The legal firms will receive a list of the authorised individuals annually.
If you require advice in respect of an Employment Law issue please contact your HR Business Partner.
Summary
The basis and reasons why trust staff will require legal advice are wide and range from simple telephone support to complex written advice. At present the trust and its staff are fortunate to have access to a high level of knowledge ‘in-house’ and this will be provided by the leads identified above and where necessary solicitors’ firms.
Dr Panchu Xavier
Director of Patient Safety
Deputy Chief Medical Officer – Safety and Quality Improvement
All claims made against the trust should be managed by the Claims Manager in the Patient Safety Team. Evidence will be gathered to assess whether liability should be denied or admitted. Legal advice will be provided on potential claims and requests for NHSR scheme cover, prior to and following the receipt of a letter of claim.
The Claims and Inquest Manager has responsibility for the management of all inquests involving the trust. Legal direction and support to witnesses and clinicians involved in the coronial process is provided by the Claims and Inquest Manager. All reports to the coroner will be screened by the Claims and Inquest Manager to ensure the quality and appropriateness of evidence presented to the court.
The Claims and Inquest Manager will ensure the trust is represented at pre-inquest hearings and the full hearing if necessary, providing support to any witnesses and liaising with relevant trust senior management following the inquest's conclusion.
Key functions: |
Contacts: |
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Name |
Telephone |
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Inquest Management
Claims Management
Administrative support |
Barry Judge Janine Betley Ian Woods Julie Molyneux Janine Betley Michelle Elliott-McEvoy Emma Hall |
07855 433102 07855 433102 07305 369024 07827 252529 07788 300895 0151 471 2201 |
janine Julie janine
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I need legal advice, how do I access this? Depending on the area of law you require advice on, in the first instance contact the identified trust lead above. What is an inquest and what support will I receive if I am involved in the inquest process? You can read the preparing for an inquest leaflet to find out further information. I am to give evidence at the inquest remotely, what does this mean?
I have never written a statement for an inquest before, is there a template I can use? I have been contacted to assist with providing information in relation to a claim made against the trust, how do I find out more information about a claim? Please select the link to the Management and Investigation of Claims policy.
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